Preface

Nowadays, the common herbs that grow among us are not held in particularly high regard—such as Henbane, Plantain, Mercury, Mallows, Chamomile, Speedwell, and Cabbage—all of which were held in high honor by the ancients. For instance, Henbane was discovered by Hercules; Plantain was described by Themison A famous physician of the 1st century BC; Mercury herb by Mercury; Hesiod praises Mallows and Polium; Asclepiades praises Chamomile; Teucer praises Speedwell; the earnest Zeno praises Capers; Morchion describes Radish; Pythagoras the onion family; and Chrysippus and Cato praise the Cabbage varieties. Even the most wise King Solomon did not feel ashamed to discourse upon the 1 Kings 4 humblest herbs that grow out of the walls. They all knew well that herbs, as divine creations, are useful means for many ailments in both humans and livestock. We also read that irrational animals have brought to light certain plants useful for medicine: for example, swallows have shown Celandine original: "Schelwurz" to be useful for darkened eyes; similarly, snakes showed the use of Fennel; the hawk showed the Hawkweed original: "Hieratia"; and even today, snakes use Water-germander original: "Egel kraut" for fresh wounds. Wounded deer showed that the precious Cretan Dittany is useful and good for drawing out arrows and all kinds of projectiles. Do not the wood-pigeons, the jackdaws, and the merlins have their laurel leaves with which they purge themselves annually? Storks use salty seawater and love Wild Marjoram original: "Wolgemüt". The little weasel uses Rue when it wants to catch the venomous white weasel likely referring to a stoat or similar predator. When the snail fears the snake's poison, it uses Wild Thyme original: "Cunilam". Sows seek out crayfish; the dog seeks grass; and many such things which are impossible to describe in full.

For these excellent and useful reasons, I have wished to bring the art and practice of the ancient teachers regarding simple plants of the earth back to light for the welfare of the human race. This is so that people may become accustomed to them again and grow to love them, while also avoiding part of the significant expense spent on mixed, foreign, and unknown substances, and instead letting ourselves be satisfied with the common gifts of God, which He gives abundantly to every land. I hereby ask my dear lords, the Doctors and Apothecaries, not to be angered by this book, for it was not written to their disadvantage. Nor do I desire to overturn all the proven compositions of the ancients, but only to serve the poor, and to warn them against harm, great expense, and vagabonds referring to traveling quacks or unlicensed healers.

In addition, I would like the Apothecaries to become more diligent and not trust the old women too much regarding herbs, but rather diligently consult the books themselves, so that one does not pay dearly for "one thing in place of another" original: "Quid pro Quo," a pharmaceutical term for substituting one drug for another, often dangerously, whereby the poor man is heavily damaged in body and livelihood. This matter requires an honest Reformation, especially in certain compositions or mixed things. Since this is impossible for one man alone, I ask once more the highly learned in the courts of Kings and Princes that they, through constant exhortation, ensure that a Reformation of the Apothecaries be undertaken in this region (for the benefit of the Germans and all other nations).